Louisiana’s gas tax goes towards funding roads and bridges. And the state’s largest business association says it’s time to increase it.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New poll numbers are out on the governor’s race. According to the survey conducted by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling, 40-percent of the respondents said they plan on voting for Republican Jeff Landry in the October 14th primary. 24-percent said Democrat Shawn Wilson and nine-percent said Republican Stephen Waguespack. Everyone else had four-percent or lower.

41-year-old Melvin Emde of Oklahoma is in custody accused of faking his own drowning in Louisiana to avoid child rape charges in North Carolina. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says on August 7th they received a call from Emde’s son that his father went under while kayaking on the Mississippi River near Hahnville. Champagne says they were immediately suspicious because he missed court in North Carolina…
Cut 10 (04) “…a hoax.”
Emde was arrested in Georgia on Sunday after trying to flee authorities while riding a motorcycle that did not have a license plate.

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge announces a first for Louisiana, a plan to build a mental health unit to treat pregnant, postpartum patients. Senior Vice President of Patient Care Cheri Barker Johnson…
cut 14 (11) “…of things”
The hospital plans to open the unit next fall.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted on child rape charges in North Carolina attempted to fake his own death in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

We’ll have more on this story tomorrow…

In DeSoto Parish, the Sheriff’s Office was forced to close this morning after a possible fentanyl exposure. Three employees were transported to the hospital and are listed in stable condition. State police are assisting with the investigation and clean-up.

A Rapides Parish man has been arrested on three counts of simple arson for setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods faces several years in prison if convicted…

Cut 11 (10) “…15 years”
Strain says thanks to quick action by state and local firefighters, both fires remained small in size and impact.

Will Green President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association says local car dealerships already ordered extra parts and vehicles in anticipation of the United Auto Worker’s strike, which began Friday, but if the strike lingers…

Cut 3 (05) “…of parts.”

The last UAW strike in 2019, last 40 days. Green says auto manufacturers are almost caught up with supply chain shortages from the pandemic.

Another round of evacuation orders have been issued to residents near Singer in Beauregard Parish after fire crews lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire. Beauregard Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says there’s still a potential the fires can reignite.

Cut 8 (12) “…we can.”

Nearly 200 acres burned where the fire breached and crossed the highway.

A Rapides Parish man has been charged for allegedly setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods set several wildfires off Highway 500 and W-W Melton Road. Commissioner Mike Strain says the fires remained small in size and impact.

Cut 10 (12) “…acre each.”

Setliff faces three counts of simple arson for the fires set in Grant Parish.

Could the United Auto Workers’ strike impact the automobile supply chain? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

State Police is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that killed a male and female on LA Hwy 133 in Caldwell Parish. 60-year-old Melanie Gray and 43-year-old Brinkley Thomas of Columbia were killed when the vehicle driven by Gray was traveling north on LA Hwy 133 for unknown reasons exited the roadway and hit a tree. The investigation is ongoing.

The Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Department announces the arrest of a Rapides Parish man for allegedly setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. Commissioner Mike Strain says 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods set several wildfires off Highway 500 and W-W Melton Road…

Cut 9 (09) “…multiple homes” 

Strain says thanks to the rapid response of local and state firefighters, the fires remained small in size and impact

Residents near Singer in Beauregard Parish are under a voluntary evacuation after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire due to wind and dry conditions. Sheriff’s office Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says out of caution for drivers the highway has been shut down due to low visibility.

Cut 7 (11) “…in Singer” 

A voluntary evacuation has also been ordered for residents on the west side of La. 27 to Juanita.

The first round of grants of up to 10 thousand dollars for a homeowner to fortify their roof will be available on October 2nd. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 3 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”

New data from the Louisiana Automobile Auto Dealers Association, finds Louisiana’s new car and heavy truck dealers generated more than $19 billion in total sales in 2022 and supported more than 36,000 direct and indirect jobs. LADA President Will Green says the automotive industry has several benefits and it can be lucrative also.

Cut 5 (08) “ …a year.”  

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted on child rape charges in North Carolina attempted to fake his own death in Louisiana….
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police says there is an ongoing scam where the fraudsters are attempting to use the authority of the L-S-P in an effort to obtain information and money from victims. Potential victims are receiving calls from a phone number belonging to State Police and the caller is pretending to be law enforcement and attempting to gain personal information and money from the victim over the phone.

Another evacuation order has been issued for residents near Singer in Beauregard Parish after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire due to wind and dry conditions. Beauregard Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says approximately 200 acres burned where the fire breached and crossed the highway.
Cut 6 (12) “…in danger.”
Air tankers are being used to drop water on the flames.

State Fire Marshal investigators believe a deadly fire that tragically killed a mother and her two children last week in St. John the Baptist Parish started in the kitchen area of the home. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they may have pinpointed a cause.
Cut 12 (10) “…in the home”
Rodrigue says there were no working smoke alarms.

We all remember how the pandemic impacted the automobile supply chain, but could it happen again with the United Auto Workers’ strike? Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are also facing a shortage of rain and the Tiger Island Fire has produced another round of evacuation orders in Singer. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shannon Burgess says keep an eye on their Facebook page for more updates…
cut 8 (12) “…we can”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has released more information into last week’s fatal fire in St. John Baptist Parish that killed a woman and her two small children. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they believe faulty wiring connected to the stove may have started the deadly blaze and there were no working smoke alarms in the home…
cut 13 (11) “…escape safely”

A Rapides Parish man has been arrested on three counts of simple arson for setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. State Agricutlure and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods faces several years in prison if convicted…
cut 11 (10) “…15 years”
Strain says thanks to quick action by state and local firefighters, both fires remained small in size and impact.

Winds and dry conditions prompted another evacuation order for residents between Singer and Merryville in Beauregard Parish after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire.  Beauregard Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Shannon Burgess…

Cut 7 (11) “…in Singer” 

A voluntary evacuation has also been ordered for residents on the west side of La. 27 to Juanita.

As the United Auto Workers strike enters it’s fourth day… Will Green President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association says a lengthy strike could result in another significant supply chain shortage. He says the strike is impacting Ford, Stellantis, and GM plants.

Cut 4 (09) “…in Detroit.”

The last UAW strike in 2019 lasted 40 days.

A major construction project gets underway today on I-20 in the Shreveport-Bossier area and it will result in lane closures for the next two years. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Loss of containment in the Tiger Island Fire has forced Beauregard Parish authorities to issue another evacuation order for residents south of Highway 10 between Singer and Merryville. Beauregard Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says the highway was open but reclosed out of caution for motorists in the area.

Cut 7 (11) “…in Singer” 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced homeowners will be eligible to apply for $10 thousand grants to strengthen their roofs starting Oct. 2. Donelon says this program is modeled after a successful program that Alabama has been running for a few years…

Cut 10 (08) “…30-million before this year”

Will Green President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association says local car dealerships already ordered extra parts and vehicles in anticipation of the United Auto Worker’s strike, which began Friday, but if the strike lingers…

Cut 3 (05) “…of parts.”

The two front-runners in the governor’s race to make a November run-off were attacked multiple times in Friday’s televised debate. Republican John Schroder pointed out Jeff Landry’s campaign took a donation from a trial attorney whose firm was fined two million dollars for participating in a fraud scheme against hurricane victims….

Cut 13 (13) “…how does that happen.”

Another evacuation order has been issued in Beauregard Parish after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire due to wind and dry conditions. Shannon Burgess says approximately 200 acres burned where the fire breached and crossed the highway.

Cut 6 (12) “…in danger.”

Four large air tankers are being used to drop water south of La. 110 between Singer and Merryville

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces the first round of grants of up to 10 thousand dollars for homeowners to repair or replace their roofs will be available on October 2nd. Donelon says a fortified roof can lower your homeowner’s insurance costs and increase your home value by an estimated seven percent…

Cut 11 (10) “…property”

A major construction project gets underway today on I-20 in the Shreveport-Bossier area and it will result in lane closures for the next two years. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the seventh time in his career, former LSU All-American Mondo Duplantis has broken the pole vault record clearing 20 feet and 5.25 inches. The 23-year-old Lafayette native did so at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon. Duplantis represented his mother’s home country of Sweden.

The first round of grants of up to 10 thousand dollars for a homeowner to fortify their roof will be available on October 2nd. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Another evacuation order has been issued in Beauregard parish after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island fire. Four large air tankers and four helicopters are being used to drop water on the flames, according to the Red Strike team.

The I-20 construction project in Bossier and Caddo Parishes starts today. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says it’s time to replace the pavement that’s been there since the interstate was constructed in the 1960s….

Cut 9 (06)  “…get it started”

Between 70 to 100-thousand vehicles per day use I-20 in this area. The project cost 118 million dollars.

Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in New Orleans is the first hospital in the state to treat cancer patients using CAR T cell therapy. Cellular Therapy Specialist Dr. Clark Alsfield says the federal government has approved the therapy for its safety and efficacy.

Cut 6 (12) “..another frontier”

A patient’s eligibility depends on the type of cancer and previous treatments they have received.